U.S. antitrust officials are investigating Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE:BUD) over its new incentives that encourage independent distributors to sell more of its own beer brands at the expense of competing craft brews, Reuters reports.

AB Inbev introduced the program in late 2015, and authorities are looking into it as part of the antitrust review surrounding the beer giant's planned takeover of SABMiller, which was approved by the European Commission on Tuesday.

Following several delays, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has cleared Anheuser Busch Inbev's (NYSE:BUD) planned $100B takeover of rival SABMiller (OTCPK:SBMRY), stating the deal would not adversely affect the domestic market.

AB Inbev still expects to complete the purchase by the end of 2016, but has to secure antitrust clearance in Europe, where both it and its target are headquartered.

The Department of Justice is probing how it can assured that Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE:BUD) and MillerCoors (OTCPK:SBMRY, TAP) won't hold beer prices high through tacit collusion following the merger between A-B and SABMiller, according to CTFN.

Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE:BUD) has accepted Asahi Group Holdings' (OTCPK:ASBRF) offer to buy the Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime beer brands for €2.55B ($2.9B), clearing another hurdle in its efforts to win regulatory approval for the $100B-plus takeover of SABMiller (OTCPK:SBMRY).

The purchase is conditional on the SABMiller deal going through, AB InBev said in a statement. The companies announced on Feb. 10 that Asahi had made a binding offer.

South Africa's Competition Commission will fail to meet tomorrow's deadline for completing an investigation into Anheuser-Busch InBev's (NYSE:BUD) takeover of SABMiller (OTCPK:SBMRY) and will extend the probe.

"There is still work that needs to be done and a number of issues that needs to be considered," said Itumeleng Lesofe, spokesman for the antitrust regulator.

London-based SABMiller, which started selling brew to gold miners in Johannesburg in 1895, controls 90% of South Africa's beer market.

Asahi Group Holdings (OTCPK:ASBRF) has agreed to buy SABMiller's (OTCPK:SBMRY) Peroni and Grolsch beer brands, which are seen as necessary MegaBrew casualties due to Anheuser-Busch's (NYSE:BUD) deep penetration in Europe.

Asahi, Japan's biggest brewer with 38% market share, is likely to pay over ¥400B ($3.5B) for the two labels, Nikkei reports.

An earlier line-up of bidders for Peroni and Grolsch included several private equity firms, conglomerates and other brewers.

The panel will review how the merger of the world's two biggest beer producers, which could soon hold the No. 1 or No. 2 positions in 24 of the world's 30 largest beer markets, would affect competitors and consumers.

As part of the deal, AB InBev plans to sell SABMiller's (OTCPK:SBMRY) 58% stake in MillerCoors to Molson, and is exploring the sale of European brands Grolsch and Peroni.

Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE:BUD) is aiming to head off European regulatory concerns over its proposed acquisition of SABMiller (OTCPK:SBMRY) by putting the Peroni and Grolsch labels that it would gain up for sale.

No price for the brands has yet been indicated, but according to the Sunday Times, the sale would fetch billions of pounds.

Just a day after sealing its MegaBrew deal, SABMiller (OTCPK:SBMRY) reported higher underlying sales and beverage volume for the second quarter, although EBITA fell 11% to $2.9B in the six months through September.

"We had a good first half, stripping out the effects of adverse exchange rates," Chief Executive Alan Clark said.

Meanwhile, AB InBev (NYSE:BUD) is lining up a $75B loan package to fund its acquisition of SABMiller, an arrangement that will likely save the brewing behemoth millions of dollars in fees.

Most analysts think the beer giants will make the necessary concessions to appease regulators in the U.S. and China. On SA, Chris DeMuth says the deal will extend the reach of the best operators in the business.

Molson Coors in particular is widely identified as a winner in the deal through its pickup of a full stake in MillerCoors. Still to play out is what beer company makes a bid for SABMiller's position in CR Snow in China. China Resources Beer Holdings (OTCPK:CRHKY, OTC:CRHKF) is the 51% owner of the alluring JV.